53-4-5 weatherproofing

[Joe R.]

Can anyone provide feedback to me (and possibly others) as to how to get the 54's to survive the rain?
Now, I'm not going to drive her in the rain, but shtuff happens, and want to make the car somewhat leak tight.

1) It's got a new top, and I can't imagine how to prevent rain from getting in the back side of the side curtains.

2) The top frontal area of the doors leak like they're supposed to. Water pools in the area that looks like a catch basin (was someone trying to be funny here?) and ends up on the floor. I like Al Knoch and all, but........

3) The sides of the hood have no weatherstripping. How do you keep water from getting in the voltage reg?

Also, can anyone recommend a good waterproof cover to use on the car if I get caught in the rain? How does the cover prevent pooling in the pass compartment?

I'm beginning to understand why many referred to these cars as "bathtubs" due to their ability to hold water.

Joe

[Roy B.]

Re: 53-4-5 weatherproofing



You cant be serious ! Keep water out ? You better sell that bathtub or carry bath towels .
BUT! There was a factory fix on a few items.
Adding a thicker rubber windshield post to door "filler"
Drilling and adding a copper drain tube at upper "body" door weatherstripping
53 early 54 adding side window locks
Adding more dumm-dumm to seal firewall hole leaks
The side windows did a fairly good job when new but now most fit poorly against the window side post ( sunken dashes- not adjusted correctly, worn door hinge pins and so on), and top assy fitted poorly also.
Soft top front weatherstripping poor repro'ed and top material to tight
I could go on & on but if you wont a water tight fit buy a Plasticon hard top.

[Joe R.]

Re: 53-4-5 weatherproofing

Roy, do you have any GM docs on these fixes? I want to do the copper tube mod and the thicker post seals.

[Roy B.]

Re: 53-4-5 weatherproofing

Roy, do you have any GM docs on these fixes? I want to do the copper tube mod and the thicker post seals.

Well like so many other problems there was some paper work ,recommendations, call back, and fixes but I don't have it .
Any one that's been into 53-55 for a long time has seen this done.
At the top area the rubber water rain screw the dealer drilled a hole through the rubber then added a copper tubing down along the inner kick panel and out so that water dint build up so when you opened the door water dint drip on the carpet. Also added a thicker cushion seal at the windshield post . I dint have the copper line in my 55 so I do get my carpet wet when opening the door if the Corvette is pointing up hill. If you have the right hood seal the VR should not get wet, I use towels to seal the rear window gap at the doors. You have to love it.
By the way your not driving in the rain ? And you drive your 54? OK then like me carry a couple of towels. That's the fun part of experiencing the technology of the 50's cars. Many guys back then also drilled a hole in the floor area to let the water drain out. It's one of the best things about driving a 53-55 It takes me back in time. if you wont water tight buy a newer Corvette.

[Troy P.]

Re: 53-4-5 weatherproofing

My car is from the Seattle (rain to the max) area and I can vouch for many holes drilled in the floor to let the water out. Searching back to early owners brought out some great stories of the car leaking like crazy and having to drill those holes.

[Roy B.]

Re: 53-4-5 weatherproofing

Later C1's had a rubber plug in the floor to drain the water, driver side remove the plug and you can see the frame number ( not easy )

[Roy B.]

Re: 53-4-5 weatherproofing

Roy, do you have any GM docs on these fixes? I want to do the copper tube mod and the thicker post seals.

No but there was a drawing put out showing how to do it.Some old fart must remember that